Day 3: Dungog to Boorowa
6 January 2020
Master Map
It was cooler in the morning. We loaded the bikes and set off to get fuel for Pterodactyl and breakfast for us both. We planned to take the Bylong Valley Way, but the morning road update said it was closed due to fire. We rang the Bylong General Store to confirm. The road was closed a kilometre or so to the north but we could pass the roadblock to refuel if necessary.
We plotted an alternative route and made our way to Bylong where we refuelled. The fire to the south wasn't too serious, but it had jumped the road and crews were working to make sure it didn't spread.
It's an ill wind, of course, and the alternative route we took to Bathurst via Mudgee and Hill End turned out to be a fantastic ride. I'm sure we'll do it again. It continued to be hot and the extraordinary dryness of the countryside was depressing.
We made the last part of the ride from Bathurst to Boorowa in excellent time. Leaving Bathurst, a very large Eastern Grey kangaroo appeared from stage right, bounced once in the middle of the road about 20 metres ahead of Pterodactyl and sailed over the fence onto a golf course. Fortunately, he or she, was on its own.
We arrived at the Boorowa Hotel just as the sun passed over the yard arm: the time at which sailors traditionally take a drink. Who were we to argue with tradition?
At Dungog getting ready to roll
Even in the very dry conditions, much of the ride was attractive
At the Boorowa Pub. I was so thirsty and pleased to get there I simply put my helmet on the footpath and headed inside for a drink.
